Measuring apparatus



Oct. 13, 1953 2,654,955

E. F. MOSER MEASURING APPARATUS Filed Ju'ly 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l TTOZQNEYS Oct. 13, 1953 E. F. MOSER MEASURING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July e, 195@ Ob x IN VEN TOR. C? www @Ff we( ATTO/PA/Eys Oct. 13, 1953 E. F. MOSER 2,654,955

MEASURING APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 MW QQ QQ m mv N l Nm W W M Q *El km Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEASURING APPARATUS Edward F. Moser, Kane, Pa.

Application July 6, 1950, Serial No. 172,299

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to measuring apparatus and particularly to such apparatus which is adapted and intended for use in determining the depth of wells by measuring the length of a rope or cable used therein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide measuring apparatus of the character described which is simple and inexpensive but is rugged, reliable and accurate.

Another object of the invention is to provide measuring apparatus of the character described which is easily portable so as to be used in different locations.

A further object of the invention is to provide measuring apparatus of the character described which neither requires elaborate or complicated mountings nor special devices for attachment to a well casing, but is so designed as merely to rest on the top of a well casing.

Still another object of the linvention is to provide measuring apparatus of the character described in which the cable or line being measured is held under a constant predetermined tension which is independent of the diameter of the cable,

Additional objects of the invention are to increase the accuracy of measuring apparatus of the character described by providing rotatable guides which cause the cable or rope to pass through the device in a straight line and to provide means for permitting passage of cable splices or joints through the apparatus without interfering with the accuracy of the measurement.

Still further objects and advantages of the measuring apparatus of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of measuring apparatus embodying the invention of the present application with the apparatus in the position assumed in use;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the measuring apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a Avertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 4 with portions of some of the elements broken away for clarity of illustration, and with the carrying handle mounting removed;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4--4 of Figure 3 with a portion of the carrying handle broken away to show the details of the handle-holding latch;

Figure 5 iS a fragmentary, vertical sectional View similar to Figure 3 on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6--6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a horizontal, sectional detailed view on the line 1-1 of Figure 5;

Figure i8 is a fragmentary side view of the measuring apparatus shown in Figure 1 with the handle in the saine position as shown in Figure '1;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detailed view of the handle mounting; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of measuring apparatus embodying the present invention with the handle in position for carrying the apparatus.

As shown in the drawings, measuring apparatus embodying the invention of the present application comprises a box-like housing consisting of a casing 20 having a top 2l, a bottom 22, sides 23 and 24, a back 225, and a flat cover 21 adapted to close the open front of the casing 20 and to be removably attached thereto by a plurality of screws 28 which pass through the cover and threadedly engage in holes in the casing. A pair of spaced parallel guides 32 are removably attached as by screws 33 to the bottom 22 of the casing 20. The guides 32 are pro- -vided with longitudinally extending recessed or cut-out portions 34 in their facing sides adjacent the bottom 22. A handle support 35 is provided with a laterally projecting, preferably integral, flange 38. The ends of the flange 38 are reduced to form rounded, outwardly projecting pivots 39 that are received within the cut-out portions or recesses 34 of the guides 32 and are adapted for movement longitudinally thereof and .pivotally therein. On the opposite side of the handle support 35 from the flange 38 there are provided a pair of spaced tubular projections 49 adapted to slidably receive the parallel legs 4l of a handle 42. The legs 4| are joined intermediate their length by a crossbar 45, preferably permanently attached thereto, and each leg is provided at its outer end with an enlarged washer 46 which is held in place by a screw 41.

When the handle 42 is in raised position, as shown in Figures 4 and 10, the pivots 39 are at the forward ends of the recesses 34 and the Washers 46 are in contact with the bottoms of the tubular, sleeve-like projections 40. The flared grip 43 of the handle 42 projects vertically beyond the top 2| of the casing 20 and provides convenient means for grasping and carrying the measuring apparatus. When the handle 42 is to be used for carrying purposes it is preferably held in vertical position by suitable retaining means.

As best shown in Figures 1, 4 and 10, such retaining means may comprise a stationary angle plate 5|, the top, outwardly projecting portion of which is adapted to support the crossbar 45 of the handle 42, and a slide 52. The latter is provided with a slot 53 through which there extend from the cover 221, a plurality of rivets 54 which guide the slide and permit limited vertical movement thereof toward and away from the angle plate 5|. The slide 52 is provided at its lower end with an outwardly `Aextending hooked portion 56 which engages the outer side of the crossbar 45 when the slide is in its lower position and thus prevents fdisplacement of the handle. A head 51 is provided on the rivets 54 to retain the slide 52 in place.

When the measuring apparatus is to be used, the handle I421is swung `downwardly on the pivots 39 and the legs 4| thereof are pushed longitudinally through fthe Ytubular projections l4|l until the crossbar `45 engages the projections, the Vpivots 39 then being at the extreme `right rends of the recesses 34, as shown 'in Figures 8 and'9. In each of the guides .32 a spring `mounted .ball735 is provided which obtrudes through an orifice into the recess 34. The balls 36 serve, when the 'pivots 39 are moved to the extreme rear ends of therecesses 34, to y'ieldably retain the pivots in 'that position while permitting pivotal movement thereof. The crossbar '45 is so located .on the 'handle 42 that, in the position just described, the housing of the measuring apparatus is over the center of balance of the handle.

When the handle 42 is I-in the position shown in Figures 8 and 9 it may Yserve asa base by which the measuring apparatus may be supported `on .the top of the casing of a well the depth of which it is desired to measure. It will be seen that because of the pivotal movement permitted between the housing and the handle by the construction above-described, the measuring apparatus is capable of considerable freedom of movement and may thus Vadapt itself to lateral movement of the cable passing between the rollers thereof. By thus floating on the cable, measuring apparatus embodying the herein-described invention avoids the tendency to inaccuracy which exists in rigidly mounted devices of 'this character which `restrain free movement of 'the cable.

On the back 25 of the casing 20 the novel measuring apparatus of the present invention is provided with four pairs of wheels arranged vin two vertical series and adapted to rotate around parallel axes. The position of one Wheel of each pair is fixed While the other wheel of each pair is adapted for movement bodily horizontally toward and away .from the fixed wheel of each pair. The top and bottom fixed wheels `62 and 63, respectively, are provided with flat peripheral faces and, with their associated horizontally movable guide wheels or rollers 64 and 65 serve to `center the cable 68 which is to be measured and bring it in alignment with the peripheries of the measuring wheels 68 and 69.

The upper and lower measuring wheels 88 and 69, respectively, are located between the centering wheels 62 and 63, are of larger diameter than the centering wheels, and also have flat peripheral faces. The measuring wheels 68 and 69 are associated with horizontally movable guide rollers 10 and 1|, respectively. The guide rollers 674 65,

10 and 1| are all preferably of the same diameter and approximately the same size as the centering wheels 62 and 63. Each roller is provided with a V-groove in the peripheral face thereof, the centers of the grooves being substantially aligned with the centers of the fiat peripheral faces of their associated wheels and being indicated in Figure 2 by dashed lines B1.

Each of the .grooved guide rollers is rotatably mounted on an Aantifriction bearing (not shown) that is in turn mounted on a stud 12 which extends into the interior of the casing 20 through a slot 13 in the back 25. The studs 12 have squared portions 16 where they pass through the Aback 25. .Elongated washers 11 having corresponding square holes therein are mounted on the vstuds .12 Lbetween the guide rollers and the casing and cover the slots 13 to prevent entrance of dirt therethrough. Each of the washers 11 bears against and slides on a horizontally elonfgated, iiat,raised portion 180i the back 25 around -Aeach of the fslots 13. Within the casing 20 each of the Ystuds 'lf2 which carry the guide Vrollers 54 and `65 is removably attached to a slide 14 and each of the studs '12 which carry the guide rollers 10 and 'H is removably attached to a slide 15 in a Vmanner Jto be hereinafter set forth.

Extending .horizontally outwardly from the back 25 of the casing -20 adjacent each corner thereof is a lfoot or short rod '80. The feet 80 project beyond the Wheels and 'rollers just described and serve to support the casing in such manner that the wheels are not damaged when the measuring device is laid-on its back. Screws 8| pass- 'ing through the back 25 may be employed to detachably secure `the 'feet 80 to the casing l20.

The interior of the casing 29 is provided with a plurality of partitions, arranged perpendicularly to the back 25, which are preferably cast integrally with the body of the casing. The partition '82 which extends `generally vertically within the casingA 20 and the horizontal partition 83 together form 'a compartment, on the left side 'of the casing as it is viewed in Figure 3, into which there extend through the back 25 of the casing 20 the vshafts 86 and 81 of the measuring wheels 58 and 69, respectively. A spur gear 88 is mounted on each of the shafts 86 and 81 adjacent to Vand spaced from the back 25 by washers (not shown). The gears 88 are held on the shafts :for rotation therewith by `washers 89 and nuts '90, each of the latter having Vscrew-threaded engagement with Vthe end of one of the shafts.

The teeth of the gear 88 on the shaft 86 are engaged with the teeth of 'a spur gear .93 of a counter 94 which `is supported within the casing 20 on an angle bracket 195 'that extends inwardly from 'the side 23 of the casing 20 to which it is secured by a screw 96. The counter 94 is removably mounted on the bracket 95 by screws 98 and is provided with a `dial 99 and a reset knob |00 which extends laterally through the side 23 of lthe casing 20 into a recessed portion |0| thereof. Intermediate the gears 88 within the casing -20 there .is provided a mounting plate |05 which is attached to the'back 25 by screws |06. Extending laterally from .the mounting .plate |05, and preferably formed integrally therewith, is a stationary shaft |01 which supports, through an antifriction bearing |08, a large gear ||0 carrying said bearing. The gear |0 is meshed with both of the gears 88 and thereby provides for the rotation of the latter gears, and thus the measuring wheels 68 and 69, in unison.

,Adjacent the 4top 2| and the bottom 22 of the casing 20, above and below, respectively, the gears 88, are a pair of mounting plates ||3 secured to the back 25 by screws I |4. Studs I I6 for supporting the centering wheels 62 and 63 extend through the plates ||3 and are secured thereto by nuts ||1 having threaded engagement with the ends of the studs.

The right side of the interior of the casing 26, as viewed in Figure 3, is divided into a plurality of compartments by horizontally extending partitions I2IJ, |2I, |22 and a diagonally arranged partition |23 all of which are disposed perpendicularly to the back 25. Attached by suitable means to the top and bottom, respectively, of partitions |2| and I 22 are horizontal plates |25 which have, respectively, upwardly and downwardly directed iianges |26 at the outer edges thereof. The plates |25 serve to reinforce the partitions and the ilanges |26 provide support for the center of the cover plate 21 which is preferably removably fastened thereto by Screws |21. Also in the right side of the interior of the casing 25 are the slides 14 and 15, referred to above, which carry the guide rollers 64, 65, 16 and 1|. The studs 12 which support the guide rollers pass through the slides 14 and 15 and each carries on its inwardly extending end, a washer or collar |28 which is secured thereon by a screw-threaded nut |29.

The slides 14 and 15 are adapted for horizontal reciprocating movement within the casing 26 parallel to the back 25 of the casing. Each of the slides is guided along the upper and lower edges thereof, respectively, by a pair of horizontal vertically spaced bars |3| and |32. The slides 14 and 15 and the guide bars I3| and |32 are substantially the same in thickness.

As shown most clearly in Figure 4, each of the gui-de bars I3| and |32 is mounted against a plate |35 which preferably is formed of a material having a low coefficient of friction such as lubricantimpregnated metal and which rests against the inner face of the casing back 25. A similar plate |36 is mounted on the outer faces of each pair of guide bars and is held in place and reinforced by a backing plate |31. Bolts |39 provided with nuts |40 on their inner ends extend inwardly from the outer face of the back |25 through plate |35, guide bars I3| and |32, and plates |36 and |31 to hold the plates and bars in place. Horizontal slots I 4|, registering with the slots 13 in the back 25 of the casing 20 are provided in the antifriction plates |35 and |36 and in the backing plates I 31 to permit reciprocating movement of the studs 12 and the guide rollers 64, 65, 16 and 1| carried thereby.

The slides 14 which carry, through studs 12, the top and bottom guide rollers 64 and 65, respectively, are connected by a long bar |44 which extends vertically within the casing 26 adjacent the side wall 24 thereof. The bar |44, adjacent each end thereof, is pivotally attached to one of the slides 1-4 as by a pin or rivet |46. In similar manner the slides 15 which carry the intermediate guide rollers 16 and 1I are pivotally attached Yextending longitudinally of the carriage |52 is an internally threaded hole |54. Engaged within the threaded hole |54 is the correspondingly threaded stern |55 of a bevel gear |56. A reduced extension |58 of the gear |56 is rotatably mount- .ed in a sleeve |59 received in a stationary block |60 secured as by screws or bolts |51 between the partitions I2I and |22 adjacent the side wall 24. Engaged with the bevel gear |56 there is provided another bevel gear I6| mounted for rotation around a vertical axis on a stem |62 which extends upwardly through the horizontal partition I 2| and the top 2| of the casing 26. A sleeve |64 is mounted in the partition |2| around the stem |62 and a knob or handle |65 is secured, as by means of a pin I 66, on the end of the stem I 62 that projects outwardly from the casing 26. Since the bevel gears |56 and |6| are in mesh and the gear |56 is restrained from horizontal movement, rotation of the knob or handle |65 produces rotation of the threaded stem |55 of the gear |56 and results in horizontal movement of the carriage |52.

At the rear of the carriage |52 between the runners |53 there are provided a plurality, and preferably a pair, of tension springs |68. Each of the springs |68 is attached at one of its ends to a pin |69 which is securely mounted, as by screw threading, in the carriage I 52 and projects rearwardly therefrom. The other ends of the springs |68 are secured to the long vertical bar |44 on opposite sides of and closely adjacent the center of said bar, as by rivets or pins |16. A pair of compression springs |12 are disposed between the tension springs |68 at the rear of the carriage 52. Each of the springs |12 is mounted between and bears against a lug |14, which projects rearwardly from the carriage between the runners |53 and a tab or small plate |15 that is secured as by soldering or welding to the shorter vertical bar |48. The lugs |14 and tabs |15 are each provided with projections |16 extending toward each other within the springs |12 to prevent displacement of the latter. Aligned longitudinal slots |11 are provided in the horizontal partitions |2| and |22 and plates |25 above and below the carriage |52 to receive pins |18 which are removably secured in and project from the top and bottom thereof, thus preventing lateral displacement of the carriage.

As a consequence of the pivoted connection of the bars |44 and |48 to the slides 14 and 15, re-

spectively, and their connection through the -springs I 53 and |12, respectively, with the carriage |52, rotation of the knob |55 at the top of the casing 2U in one direction to cause horizontal movement of the carriage to the left as viewed in Figure 3 produces corresponding movement of the bars and the slides. This results in the guide rollers 64, 65, 16 and 1| carried by the slides 14 and 15, respectively, being moved horizontally ltoward the centering wheels 62 and 63 and the measuring wheels 68 and 69. Since the axes of rotation of all of the wheels and guide rollers are parallel and, as previously mentioned, the grooves in the latter are in substantial alignment with the center of the flat peripheral faces of the ycentering wheels and the measuring wheels, such movement permits firm but resilient gripping of a cable 66 running between the grooved guide rollers and the wheels. Furthermore, although the vertical bars |44 and |48 are not pivot/ed on the casing 26, the spring connections between these bars and the carriage |52 permit pivotal movement of the bars so that the slides 1st and 15 and the guide rollers carried thereby may have 7 independent horizontal movement and thereby allow cable splices or joints to pass between the rollers and the centering and measuring wheels without damage or slipping.

Reverse rotation of the knob |65 produces movement of the carriage |52 in the opposite direction and results in release of the spring tension and compression yieldably urging the bars |44 and |48, respectively, toward the centering and measuring wheels. As the tension springs |68 become compressed during such movement of the carriage the movement is imparted to the bar |44. The release of the springs |12 from compression, however, does not bring about movement of the bar |48 away from the measuring wheels and accordingly the carriage |52 is provided with a bent finger |85, projecting downwardly and laterally therefrom and attached thereto by screws |8|, which positively engages the bar |48 on the edge thereof opposite the tabs |15 and causes it to follow the carriage when the latter is moved horizontally away from the measuring wheels.

In setting up and using the measuring apparatus herein described to measure the depth of a well the latch slide 52 is moved upwardly to permit the handle 42 to be pivoted downwardly and slid through the tubular projections 49' to the position under the housing shown in Figure 8. The measuring apparatus is then placed on the top of the well casing with the legs 4| of the handle 42 on opposite sides of the cable. By movement of the knob |65 the guide rollers 84, 85, 10 and 1| are moved away from the centering wheels .and measuring wheels so as to permit the cable 56 to pass between the wheels and the rollers. The knob |65 is then turned in the opposite direction to move the carriage |52 toward the wheels and thereby resiliently engage the guide rollers against the cable in the position shown in Figures 2 and 6 so that the cable is held in position by the V-grooves of the rollers. The tension or force with which the cable is held against the measuring wheels 68 and 69 by the guide rollers 10 and 1| is indicated by the position of a pointer |83, which is mounted as by a screw |84 on the stud 12 of the guide roller 1U', with respect to suitable indicia on the indicator plate |85. The latter is supported by a rod |85 that is removably secured to and movable with the carriage |52, a slot |81 being provided in the partition |2| to permit horizontal movement of the rod |86. It will thus `be seen that the same predetermined force or tension may be applied to a cable to be measured regardless of the diameter of the cable since the alignment of the pointer |83 with a particular point on the indicator plate |85 indicates at al1 times the same degree of compression in the springs |12.

When the proper tension has been placed on the cable E55 in the manner described above, the counter 94 is re-set to a zero reading by turning the knob |00. The measuring wheels 88 and S9 and the gears 88 and 93 are preferably so selected with respect to diameter and number of teeth that a reading of one unit on the dial 99 of the counter 94 is produced by movement of each foot of the circumference of the measuring wheels past a given point during rotation. Therefore, the number of feet of cable which have passed over the measuring wheels may be readily ascertained from the dial. The dial 99 and the position of the pointer |83 with respect to indicia on the indicator plate |85 may be readily seen through windows |89 and |90, respectively, in the cover 21 in which there are mounted glass plates |92 and |93, respectively, to exclude dust. By rotation of the knob |65 the tension on the cable can be adjusted as required if observation through the window |93 shows the pointer |83 to be displaced from its proper position with respect to the indicia on the plate |85.

If the cable 65 is carefully paid out through the measuring device, the depth of the well may be readily ascertained by adding to the number of feet of cable which have passed through the measuring device the length of the tool (not shown) carried by the cable and the length of cable between the tool and the measuring wheel 69 when the measuring device was placed in operation. It should be noted that, although the top and bottom guide rollers 64 and 65 and the intermediate guide rollers 10 and 1| are movable radially toward the axes of rotation of the centering wheels 64 yand 65 and the measuring wheels 68 and 69, respectively, to hold the cable 6B firmly against the flat peripheral faces of the wheels, those axes are not in a vertical line. The centering wheels being of smaller diameter have their axes placed nearer the center of the casing 20 so that the peripheral faces -of all four wheels contacted by the cable 66 lie in the same vertical plane. Consequently, the cable passes through the wheels of the measuring apparatus in a straight line and no inaccuracy resulting from bending or kinking of the cable is introduced into the measurement.

Additional causes of the high degree of accuracy in measurement inherent in measuring apparatus embodying the present invention are the ability of the apparatus to "float on the cable so that oscillation or whip does not cause slippage, and the novel means provided for permitting maintenance of a predetermined tension on the cable as it passes over the measuring wheels.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the measuring apparatus of the present invention is sturdy in construction yand simple in operation. It is also clear that the measuring apparatus is convenient to use since it may be easily carried from one location to another and may be quickly set up and made ready for use without any supporting or mounting means other than the carrying handle. As pointed out above, the hereindescribed measuring apparatus is, because of novel features incorporated therein, capable of measuring a well -cable with a high degree of accuracy so that the depth of Wells may be reliably determined. Moreover, the present measuring apparatus is adapted to be used with ropes or cable of widely varying diameters without structural modification and with the same degree of accuracy because of the novel tensioning means provided.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings is capable of considerable change and modication Without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, desired that the invention should not be considered limited except as required by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a closed housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller on the exterior of said housing associated with each ofl said wheels, and a plurality of slides rigidly guided within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably but rigidly carried thereby with its axis of rotation parallel to the axis oi rotation of its associated wheel.

2. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a, closed housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in xed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller on the exterior of said housing associated with each of said wheels, a plurality of slides rigidly guided within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably but rigidly carried thereby with its axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of its associated wheel, and means within said housing resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said wheels.

3. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in iixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller associated with each of said wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, a

bar within but unconnected to said housing, said bar being pivotally connected to each of said slides, and means within said housing operatively connected to said bar adapted to move each of said slides and the guide roller carried thereby radially with respect to the axis of rotation of their associated wheel.

4. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of measuring wheels rotatably mounted in xed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller associated with each of said measuring wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said measuring wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, a bar within but unconnected to said housing, said bar being pivotally connected to each of said slides, and means within said housing operatively connected to said bar adapted to move each of said slides and the guide roller carried thereby radially with respect to the axis of rotation of their associated wheels.

5. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of centering wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller associated with each of said centering wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of sai-d centering wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, a bar within but unconnected to said housing, said bar being pivotally connected to each of said slides, and means within said housing operatively connected to said bar adapted to move each of said slides and the guide roller carried thereby radially with respect to the axis of rotation of their associated wheels.

6. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a pair of centering Wheels and a pair of measuring wheels rotatably mounted in ixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a plurality of guide rollers each of which is associated with one oi' said wheels, a plurality of slides Within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, a pair of bars within but unconnected to said housing, one of said bars being pivotally connected to the slides carrying the guide rollers associated with said centering wheels, and the other of said bars being pivotally connected to the slides carrying the guide rollers associated with said measuring wheels, and means within said housing operatively connected to at least one of said bars adapted to move the slides connected to said bar and the guide rollers carried by said slides radially with respect to the axis of rotation of their respective associated wheels.

7. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a plurality of rotatably mounted guide rollers on the exterior of said housing, one of said guide rollers being associated with each of said wheels, a bar within but unconnected to said housing, said bar being operatively connected at each of its ends to one of said guide rollers, and means within said housing operatively connected to said bar adapted to move said guide rollers radially toward and away from the axes of rotation of their respective associated wheels.

8. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said v housing, a plurality of rotatably mounted guide rollers on the exterior of said housing, one of said guide rollers being associated with each of said Wheels and being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of said wheel, a bar within but unconnected to said housing, said bar being operatively connected at each of its ends to one of said guide rollers, means within said housing resiliently resisting movement of said bar and guide rollers, and operating means extending outwardly from said housing adapted to adjust the resistance of said first mentioned means.

9. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller associated with each of said wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, a bar within said housing but unconnected thereto, said bar being pivotally connected adjacent each of its ends to one of said slides, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within said housing, said carriage and said slides having parallel paths of movement, and means Within said housing operatively connected to said carriage and said bar resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said wheels.

10. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a pair of centering wheels and a pair of measuring wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a plurality of guide rollers each of which p is associated with one of said Wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of sai-d guide rollers carried thereby, and a pair of bars within said housing but unconnected thereto, one of said bars being pivotaly ccnnected to the slides carrying the guide rollers associated with said centering Wheels and the other of said bars being pivotally connected to the slides carrying the guide rollers associated with said measuring wheels, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within said housing, said carriage and said slides having parallel paths of movement; and means within said housing operatively connected to said Ycarriage and to each of said bars resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said Wheels. l 11. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of wheels rotat-` ably mounted in xed positions on the exterior of said housing', a guide roller associated with each of said wheels,- a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movableradially toward and away fromtheaxis of rotation of one of said wheels and haying one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, va bar within said housing but unconnected thereto, said bar being pivotally connected adjacent each of its ends to one of said slides; a carriage mounted for recip-rocation within said housing, said carriage and said slides having parallel paths of movement, and means within said housing operatively connected to said carriage and said bar resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said wheels, said means comprising a spring.

12. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of Wheels rotatably mounted in xed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller associated with each of said wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said Wheels and having one of said guidel rollers rotatably carried thereby, a bar Within said housing but unconnected thereto, said bar being pivotally connected adjacent each of its ends to one of said slides, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within said housing, said carriage and said slides having parallel paths of movement, means within said housing operatively connected to said carriage and said bar resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said wheelsi and means adapted to cause reciprocatioil of said carriage.

13. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a pair of centering wheels and 'a pair of measuring wheels rotatably mounted in fixed positions on the exterior of said housing, a plurality of guide rollers each of which is associated with one of said wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides beL ing movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels and having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried there*- by, a pair of bars within said housing but unconnected thereto, one of said bars being pivotally connected to the slides carrying the guide rollers associated with said centering wheels and the other of said bars being pivotally connected to the slides carrying the guide rollers associated with said measuring, wheels', a1 kcarriage mounted for reciprocationwithin said housing, said car'- riage and said slides having parallel Ypaths of movement, and means `within said housing resile iently resisting movement of said slides away from said wheels,fsaid means comprising a tension spring attachedto saidcarriage and one of said bars and a compression spring mounted bars.

l 14. Ir'lnrnearsuring apparatus of the character describedf ah ou'sing,I a pair of centering wheels and a pair of measuring wheels rotatablyVA mounted inflxed positions on the exterior of said housing, a plurality of guide rollers each of which is associated with one of said wheels, a plural'ityof slides within said housing, each of said slides beingmyable radially toward and' away ffiii the aids of rotation of one of said wheels' and hav'- in'grone' of said guid rollers rotatably carried thereby, pair fvbais wiuiinsid housing but unconnected thereto, one of said bars being' pivotallyneoiiecied te the slides 1carrying' me guide rollers associated with said centering wheels and die einer of said bars bnis sii/many eofieeeea to thefslid'u's carrying the g'ide rollers associated with said measuring wheels, a carriage mounted for reciprocation within said housing, said car'- r'iageand sala 'slides having parallel paths of movement, means within said housing resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said wheels, said means comprising a tension spring attached to said carriage and one of said bars and a compression spring mounted between said carriage and the other of said bars, and means operable from the exterior of said housing adapted to cause reciprocation of said carriage. 15. In measuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted in xed positions on the exterior of said housing, a guide roller associated with each of said wheels, a plurality of slides within said housing, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of one of said wheels land having one of said guide rollers rotatably carried thereby, a bar within said housingv but unconnected thereto, said bar being pivotally connected adjacent each or its ends to one of said slides',v a carriage mounted for reciprocation within said housing, said carriage and said slides having parallel paths of movement, means comprising a spring within said housing operatively connected to said cai*- riage and said bar resiliently resisting movement of said slides away from said nwheels, and means for indicating the force exerted by said spring 1 comprising a pair of cooperating elements, one

of said elements` being carried by said carriage and the other of said elements being carried by one` of said slides.

16. Inmeasuring apparatus of the character described, a housing, a pair of centering wheels and apair of measuring wheels rotatably i'ounted in xed positions on the exterior of said housing, a plurality of guide rollers on lthe exterior of said housing, each of said guide rollers being associated with one of said wheels and being ro tata-bly carriedvwithins aid housing by a slide, each of said slides being movable radially toward and away from the axis of rotation of the wheel associated with the guide roller carried thereby, a pair of bars within said housing but unconnected thereto, one of said bars being pivotally connected adjacent its ends to the slides cari" ng the guide rollers associated with said cente ng wheels and the otherrof said bars being 'pivotally connectedadjacent its ends to the slides carry= ing the guide rollers-associated with 'said in'eas'ur` ing Wheels, means within said housing 'resilientiy resisting movement of said slides away from said Wheels and means .operable 'frl vrn the exterior of said housing adapted to produce reciprocatio'rl of said slides, said centering wheels and said 13 measuring wheels having flat peripheral faces aligned to produce straight line movementl of a cable held in contact with said faces of said guide rollers.

17. In measuring apparatus for cables, lines and the like adapted for quick application to a cable at any point thereof, the combination of a closed housing, a plurality of wheels on the exterior of said housing mounted in fixed positions for rotation about parallel axes, and a plurality of guide rollers on the exterior of said housing, one of said guide rollers being associated with and movable radially toward and away from the axis of each of said wheels to thereby permit the insertion of a cable between said wheels and said guide rollers and contact of said cable by said wheels and said guide rollers, each of said guide rollers being rigidly but rotatably mounted to maintain its axis of rotation parallel to that of its associated wheel.

18. In measuring apparatus for cable, lines and the like adapted for quick application to a cable at any point thereof, the combination of a closed housing, a pair of spaced centering wheels on the exterior of said housing mounted in xed positions for rotation about parallel axes, a pair of spaced measuring wheels on the exterior of said housing mounted in fixed position between and spaced from said centering wheels, and a plu- 14 rality of guide rollers on the exterior of said housing, one of said guide rollers being associated with and movable radially toward and away from the axis of each of said wheels to thereby permit the insertion of a cable between said wheels and said guide rollers and contact of said cable by said wheels and said guide rollers, each of said guide rollers being rigidly but rotatably mounted to maintain its axis of rotation parallel to that of its associated wheel.

EDWARD F. MOSER,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 910,787 Crow Jan. 26, 1909 1,078,462 Rapson Nov. 11, 1913 1,267,271 Richardson May 21, 1918 1,417,021 Bevel May 23, 1922 1,651,643 St. Clair Dec. 6, 1927 2,079,908 House May 11, 1937 2,136,457 Nixon Nov. 15, 1938 2,163,402 Mason June 20, 1939 2,194,307 Jackson Mar. 19, 1940 2,232,956 Mathey Feb. 25, 1941 2,386,284 Wynn Oct. 9, 1945 2,401,576 Mason June 4, 1946 2,448,238 Stehl Aug. 31, 1948 

